Submitted by: Mount Baker Theatre
Since the 1990s, amateur and professional female comics have flocked to the Ladies of Laughter Comedy Festival hoping to launch their careers. In 1998 the show was performed in a YWCA in New Jersey, but since then has moved into comedy clubs, Atlantic City Casinos and eventually Madison Square Garden. Contestants from the United States, Canada, Australia and England bring their best jokes to win a chance at cash prizes and performance bookings. On January 13, the Mount Baker Theatre will host three Ladies of Laughter winners from previous years – Jane Condon, Kelly MacFarland and Robin Fox in Ladies of Laughter: Funny & Fabulous.
The executive producer of Ladies of Laughter (LOL), Peggy Boyce, has been with the comedy competition since its beginning in 1992.
MBT: How does LOL pick their winners? What kinds of opportunities does LOL provide?
PB: To win the contest, you have to win preliminary events at top comedy clubs featuring the best female comedy talent in the country in front of major industry. Historically, our Grand Finale is judged by top industry, including Comedy Central, Gotham Comedy Club, TV producers and representative from The Friars Club. Additionally, winners lunch at the Friars Club each year. It actually means “you’re one of the best” when you win. Just to make it to the finals does wonders to women’s careers. Not only does (winning) bring you cash, bookings and publicity, but lots of networking goes on between the ladies themselves at the competition and they get notoriety from just being present at the events.
MBT: Why is there a specific venue for female comics to start their careers?
PB: Ladies of Laughter is the only national comedy competition that was designed to generate more opportunities for women in comedy, including cash, bookings, publicity and a boost to their image as comedians.
MBT: What kinds of challenges do female comics face that people might not realize?
PB: When Ladies of Laughter first began in 1992, there weren’t as many female comedians in the spotlight with national exposure as there are today. (Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Tig Notaro, Amy Poehler, etc.). I think it’s getting much better. Stand-up comedy is a very unregulated industry so there are no watchdogs. There are so many comedians looking for their big break and many comedy clubs are inundated with talent to put on their stages so the competition is fierce. Some comics will want to pay the club to get stage time-especially in the larger cities, as well as bringing entire audiences to their shows. When the competition is this fierce, you have to really stand-out from the crowd. This contest does that for women in comedy. Both men and women have to be tough in stand-up comedy to survive and excel. For men, it’s second nature. For many women it’s not. But women have to be tough and deal with some old time discrimination – just because they are a woman. But the good news is if you are good and a woman, you tend to stand out more because there are fewer women than men in the game.
PB: It’s not an easy road but you don’t choose to be a stand-up comedian, it really chooses you. Whoever wants it the most, doesn’t quit, stays in the game and with some talent, will create a niche for themselves. I’m so happy to provide that to women who truly work hard and deserve the break.
This year Mount Baker Theatre presents another group of outstanding comedians. Starting with star power, we will have Jane Condon, who’s appeared on ABC’s The View, Lifetime’s Girls’ Night Out, Fox’s series finale of 24 and NBC’s Last Comic Standing. The next member of this comedy expedition is Kelly MacFarland, winner of the 2016 Ladies of Laughter Professional competition and host of the web series Fit or Fad. Completing the crew is Robin Fox, who gave up being the funniest mom on her New Jersey cul-de-sac to take the NY comedy scene by storm.
